O ANTIPHONS
Have you ever wondered about the O Antiphons? These chants and prayers show up during the week before Christmas. They are part of the Acclamation prayers in the weekday masses. What might be most familiar to us about the O Antiphons is in the Advent Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Some of us might remember singing it in Latin.
The history of these chants is quite fascinating – they have been around for a long time. Benedictine monks included them in their prayers, and, at some point, the Latin verses were put to music.
Since I first learned about them, I had always struggled with trying to “get to” the O Antiphons, to find some time to focus on them when I was busy with small children and working. Trying to find a quiet moment to reflect in the few days before Christmas can be very challenging when life is busy. In the past few years, I may have less on my plate but there is always lots to do leading up to December 24. Often, the best I could do was to listen and sing the verses of that traditional Advent hymn.
There are seven verses in a traditional version, but many hymnals only include 3 or 4. Then there are many other verses added that include a focus on the 12 days of Christmas and some with a Marian intention. Since the originals were translated centuries ago, there are also new translations of these original O Antiphons.
Last year I read a piece from a group of Benedictine sisters about writing your own O Antiphon. Since I am accustomed to writing my own prayers and reflections as part of my meditation and prayer time, I gave it a try.
An antiphon prayer has a “call and response” rhythm to it. We start with a statement and then we answer. We respond. Specifically, for the O Antiphons, we start with a name of Jesus, like the hymn does. There are lots of descriptors for Jesus in Scripture. Find a favourite one to focus on and write why you appreciate that aspect of Jesus’ ministry. Then the response is your request for Jesus to be with you.
And always ending with: Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
When asked “What would my O Antiphon be?”
here is what I came up with:
The first is based on the birth of my grandchild last Dec 20:
O Life-Giver, bringing new babies into the world through the love of their parents,
come and help us all rejoice in the gift of life.
This one, after getting a new health diagnosis:
O Master Physician – healer of all ills,
come and make clear the path, walk with me through the needed surgery.
About the darkness of December:
O Giver of Light – as the earth turns and our days are short,
come help us through the darkness with sunshine on the coldest days.
When I am feeling sad:
O Prince of Peace, master of hearts and souls of all believers,
come and bring joy to my heart and all those who are grieving.
And anticipating the challenges of a house full of adult children and extended family:
O Wonderful Counselor, healer and builder of healthy relationships and loving family,
come and be present while my adult children come “home” for Christmas.
The final part of each of these prayers is the refrain which reminds us to always Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Jesus will come. Through the darkness and light, amid bad news and good, in the midst of our busy lives, we can hold on to hope. We can place that hope, not just in Christmas – the feast of the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of God in human flesh – but also in the second coming. Jesus will return and we are reminded that, while on this earth, we are in a transitional place. Emmanuel shall come.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you…
What will your O Antiphon be?
Jeanne Lambert combines her experiences as a parish and community nurse and her music ministry, and she continues to find ways to include music in pastoral care and community hospice work. Jeanne has many diverse writings and presentations to her credit on family life, grief, wholistic health care and spiritual reflection.
